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On the Specificity of Supernatural Boons

July 8, 2026 11 Comments

By JR Vernham

Getting a wish granted is hard.

People think finding a genie is the tricky part, but if you go to enough estate sales, you’ll get lucky eventually. I found mine living in an old chatelaine. No, the hard part is crafting your wish. You need to be specific, but vague. Genies won’t grant wishes unless they think there’s room in there to trick you.

So, I asked for the ability to speak with the most numerous animal in my house, and looked forward to finally knowing what my six cats were thinking.

And that’s how I found out I had termites.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ephra Behn says

    July 8, 2026 at 8:39 am

    Too funny! Did not have that ending on my bingo card. Cute flash, JR. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Janet says

    July 8, 2026 at 9:20 am

    Hilarious!! Reading this was a great way to start my day. Thanks!!

    Reply
  3. Jacqueline says

    July 8, 2026 at 9:21 am

    It was funny, but the detailed opening was such a magnificent hook! Well done!

    Reply
  4. Cheryl Dahlstrand says

    July 8, 2026 at 9:51 am

    Clever and accurate genie storu.
    Well crafted!

    Reply
  5. Harris says

    July 8, 2026 at 10:26 am

    Intriguing story with a lovely, funny twist!

    Reply
  6. Ed Kratz says

    July 8, 2026 at 10:27 am

    Great fun. A good laugh.

    Reply
  7. PK says

    July 8, 2026 at 12:04 pm

    Cleverly crafted and brilliantly delivered ?

    Reply
  8. Eunice says

    July 8, 2026 at 1:35 pm

    Oh dear, Good story, good twist.

    Reply
  9. ML1 says

    July 9, 2026 at 5:55 am

    Loved it! It made me laugh out loud!

    Reply
  10. Giulietta Spudich says

    July 9, 2026 at 8:17 am

    I love this! Clever and insightful with a fun, punchy end!

    Reply
  11. JR Vernham says

    July 10, 2026 at 12:48 pm

    Thanks, everyone! 😉

    Reply

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